FIFA has made an unprecedented reversal, lifting the red card suspension for US men's national team striker Folarin Balogun just days before a critical World Cup match.
Balogun received a straight red card during the US team's 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 2, triggering what was supposed to be an automatic, non-appealable one-match ban under FIFA's disciplinary rules.
On July 5, FIFA announced it had lifted the suspension, citing Article 27 of its Disciplinary Code for discretionary authority in exceptional circumstances.
The decision followed direct intervention by the highest levels of the US government. President Donald Trump reportedly called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to lobby for the reversal. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also publicly advocated for Balogun's eligibility.
The move is considered unprecedented in World Cup history due to the combination of a host nation's head of state personally intervening, the reversal of an explicitly non-appealable punishment, and the speed of the three-day turnaround.
As host nation for the 2026 World Cup, the United States holds significant leverage over FIFA's revenue, which is heavily tied to host country infrastructure and sponsorship.
Balogun, the US team's top scorer in the group stage, is now cleared to play in the round-of-16 match against Belgium.